Apple shares are rising as the company is expected to unveil its first mixed reality headset this summer. Analysts and investors are betting on the headset, thought to be called Apple Reality One, being finally announced during WWDC in June.
It could also prove to be a groundbreaking moment for CEO Tim Cook and cement faith in his leadership. As The Motley Fool financial site states, it'll be the first Apple product developed and made entirely on his watch. Just about every other product range was originally launched under Steve Jobs.
Evidence of its existence has certainly been ramping up of late, with a number of key industry figures talking about it, Apple staff allegedly having concerns that the firm is moving too quickly to get into the AR/VR market, and the first image of what is said to be hardware components for the headset's manufacturer turning up online.
As we reported earlier today, they appear to depict ribbon cables that would fit a pair of goggles-shaped eyepieces. And, as they were posted on Twitter by user MrWhite128, who has a track record of sharing accurate information about Apple, it's a good sign that the production run has at least started. The financial market seemingly agrees.
Apple's entry into the mixed-reality headset space has long been anticipated, with the company reportedly investing heavily in virtual and augmented reality technologies. To date, no real-world images of components for the headset have leaked online, but as its unveiling draws nearer, more information will likely emerge.
While Apple has yet to announce the existence of its headset, the company has made no secret of its interest in the technology. Cook has spoken publicly about his view that augmented reality will be a transformative technology, and the company has reportedly been working on a headset for several years.
As with all Apple products, it is expected to be a premium device with a high price tag - as much as $3,000 in the US, it has been reported. We suspect that'll be for a developers' edition rather than consumer. That'll tie it in with WWDC for sure.